SPECIAL CEREMONY
Cohoes welcomes three new police officers; promotes two firefighters
The Spindle City welcomed the addition of three new officers to the Cohoes Police Department Wednesday morning. Additionally, the Cohoes Fire Department celebrated two of its firefighters moving up the ladder and earning promotions. The swearing-in ceremonies took place at the Cohoes Music Hall.
“We’re certainly living in uncertain times. To use a Halloween analogy, 2020 has been somewhat of a witches brew of some of the worst events of the last century. We’ve got a dash of pandemic from 1920. Some 1930s great depression. And some 1960s social unrest. And Cohoes has not been spared,” Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler remarked.
“Some of our citizens are or have been COVID positive and many more are unemployed. We’ve hosted peaceful protesters here in Cohoes and our police department
has assisted adjoining municipalities in protests that were less peaceful. We’ve also conducted 20 plus emergency food distributions citywide this year,” Keeler continued on some of the challenges the city has been confronted with this year.
“Nonetheless, the people of Cohoes know that when they need their police and fire departments, those departments are on the job 24/7. I know that the overwhelming majority of the citizens of Cohoes support both departments, as do these elected officials, as do I,” Keeler added regarding support for both departments.
Cohoes Police Chief Todd Waldin spoke to the process of further shaping the makeup of the department.
“The assistant chief and I began the interview process and unanimously agreed on the three officers who will be sworn in today. They gave us the backgrounds and experience we need to move forward with our vision of a complete police depart
ment,” Waldin said.
“They’ve joined us with experience as a school resource officer, a school teacher, including some time substituting here in Cohoes. And with a set of fresh eyes to find the solutions to the challenges that lay ahead,” Waldin added regarding the three new hires.
Matthew Gibbins was sworn in as a patrolman. Gibbins, a Shenendehowa High School and Alfred University graduate, comes to the Spindle City following eight years of law enforcement experience with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. Waldin noted that among Gibbins’ qualifications are his experience as a drug recognition expert, DWI field sobriety instructor, field training officer, and school resource officer.
Also joining the department from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is Mark Sheehan. Sheehan joins the department as a patrolman. A graduate of Catholic Central High School and the University at Albany, he taught science as a substi
tute at Cohoes high school and full-time at Bishop Maginn high school.
During his Zone 5 training in 2019, Sheehan was bestowed the defensive tactics award. While with Saratoga County, Sheehan worked the road patrol and as a school resource officer.
Additionally sworn in as a patrolman was Alex Lebuis, who comes over from the Albany County Sheriff’s Department. Lebuis was born and raised in Cohoes and is a graduate of Hudson Valley Community College and the University at Albany.
At the fire department, Robert Johnson was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and Jason Geary to the role of captain. Cohoes Fire Chief Joseph Fahd spoke to their credentials and accomplishments as members of the fire department.
“This is one of the best parts of the job to promote two of our finest, one to the rank of lieutenant and one to the rank of captain,” Fahd said.
“They’ve both agreed to
accept the added responsibilities of their new positions and build the department into the future,” Fahd added.
Johnson’s fire career started more than 38 years ago when he acquired his EMT certification, dedicating his time to his community with the Boght community fire department. John
son further honed his craft with six years at the Stratton Air National Guard base.
Upon completion of his assignment there, Johnson was appointed as a firefighter to the Cohoes Fire Department where he has been responsible for helping to implement the current school fire safety program, street mapping, and numerous other activities and improvements within the department.
Geary, was born and
raised in the city of Cohoes and attended Cohoes schools. He is also a graduate of the University of New Haven. Geary started with the Cohoes fire department in 2001. He was one of four Cohoes firefighters to respond to the World Trade Center.
He was promoted to lieutenant in April 2014, he currently oversees the fire investigation unit and is part of a county program where he talks to juvenile firesetters.